Portfolio of compositions

Abstract

My portfolio will consist of five contrasting large scale works for wind and brass bands which explore the textural and colouristic potential of these ensembles: Apophenia - a three movement concerto for trumpet (doubling flugel and
piccolo trumpet) and brass band. Apophenia opens with a fast and frantic movement exploiting the clarion brilliance of the Bb Trumpet. The second movement is sombre in nature and exploits the darker tonal characteristics of the flugel horn. The finale, an ostinato driven dance movement, features the high tessitura of the piccolo trumpet.
• Macbeth - a large scale test piece for brass band. Character portraits (Of the three witches as well as Macbeth himself), abstractions (The lament), and scenes (The final battle between Macbeth and Macduff) make up the 9
interconnecting sections of the piece.
• Manchester Sketches - a three movement work for a brass quartet consisting of four instruments that are at the heart of a brass band: two cornets, tenor horn
and euphonium.
The Karman Line - a concert work for wind band that explores textures in the wind band.
• Fields of Destruction - a song cycle for euphonium and wind ensemble. The euphonium is an ideal vehicle for writing "songs without words" and this commission gave me chance to explore the lyrical, melancholy, nature of the
instrument.